Title

PT-Symmetric Periodic Optical Potentials

Authors

Authors

K. G. Makris; R. El-Ganainy; D. N. Christodoulides;Z. H. Musslimani

Comments

Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

Abbreviated Journal Title

Int. J. Theor. Phys.

Keywords

PT-symmetry; Non-Hermitian; PT-operators; Wave propagation; Guided; waves; Optical lattices; Optical solitons; Periodic potentials; Gain-loss media; NON-HERMITIAN HAMILTONIANS; BLOCH WAVES; PHYSICS; COMPLEX; Physics, Multidisciplinary

Abstract

In quantum theory, any Hamiltonian describing a physical system is mathematically represented by a self-adjoint linear operator to ensure the reality of the associated observables. In an attempt to extend quantum mechanics into the complex domain, it was realized few years ago that certain non-Hermitian parity-time (PT) symmetric Hamiltonians can exhibit an entirely real spectrum. Much of the reported progress has been remained theoretical, and therefore hasn't led to a viable experimental proposal for which non Hermitian quantum effects could be observed in laboratory experiments. Quite recently however, it was suggested that the concept of PT-symmetry could be physically realized within the framework of classical optics. This proposal has, in turn, stimulated extensive investigations and research studies related to PT-symmetric Optics and paved the way for the first experimental observation of PT-symmetry breaking in any physical system. In this paper, we present recent results regarding PT-symmetric Optics.

Journal Title

International Journal of Theoretical Physics

Volume

50

Issue/Number

4

Publication Date

1-1-2011

Document Type

Article; Proceedings Paper

Language

English

First Page

1019

Last Page

1041

WOS Identifier

WOS:000288261200010

ISSN

0020-7748

Share

COinS